Subic Bay: Philippines Extreme Adventure Destination

Dubbed as Philippines number one destination for extreme adventures and sports, Subic bay stands out as one of the recommended destinations in the country.

It is well known for its diversity in both cuisine and culture. Some have described the panoramic views and leisure activities here as experiences of a lifetime. Others have depicted the place as one of the spots in the world that you can label as Paradise.

History and Climate

Like the rest of the Philippines, Subic enjoys a tropical climate with marked by a wet and dry season. The months from November to May within the wet season while the rest of the year is the dry season characterized by less rainfall. Temperatures here average at 26 degrees Celsius or 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

The founding of the area is credited to Juan de Salcedo who is the grandson of famed explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. The original name of the place was Hubek, which literally meant 'pillow head', and legend has it that the name was mispronounced as Subiq. When the Americans came, as the story goes, they mispronounced the name yet again rendering it as Subig. Eventually, the name reverted back to Subiq but the letter 'q' was replaced with a 'c' thus its current name.

The area has always been eyed as a naval port since 1884 during the Spanish colonization. In 1898, a great naval battle ensued in the bay's waters between American and Spanish forces. The Spanish Army stationed here was destroyed eventually and the area came under American control in 1899. The bay was then converted into a repair station during the events that led to America's eventual involvement in World War II. After World War II, the place was returned to Philippine control and was converted into a free port and commercial zone.

Available Accommodations

Finding lodgings here won't be a huge problem. There are accommodations that will just right from a backpacker's budget to those who want a major splurge. Depending on the type of amenities you're looking for budget accommodations range from less than $20 to $60 and executive suites will range from $60 to $230. The same rates may also apply for housing accommodations, since you can rent an entire house for a long-term stay.

Some of the hotels you'll find here include the Legenda Hotel, which is rated as a five-star hotel. You may include the Subic International Hotel in that class as well. Lodgings that are considered mid-range will include the Bayfront Hotel and Camayan Beach Resort. Cheaper lodgings would include Treasure Island Resort and Subic Majestic Hotel.

A Touch of Indulgence

You'll find a mix of the world's different cuisine here. You'll find the best of the Philippines' dishes going head to head with what the rest of the world has to offer. You'll find almost everything you're looking for from coffee shops, snack bars, to fine dining restaurants. For instance, you may want to visit A Tavola for Italian food, Bread Time for snacks and pastries, Xtremely Xpresso for great coffee, Meat Plus for awesome stakes. If you're craving for something distinctly from the Philippines then head on to Coco Lime, Gerry's Grill, and Seafood by the Bay.

Adventure and Nightlife

Subic bay is noted for extreme adventures and sports. Visitors go parasailing, yachting, seaplane trips, jungle survival training, camping, kayaking and canoeing, scuba diving, jetskiing, trekking, horseback riding, car and go-kart racing, paintball action, safari, and crazy stunts at the Xtreme Adventure Park. You'll find these activities as both exciting and a bit hazardous at the same time. You can say that you are living great adventures when you visit Subic.

Of course, your Subic adventure won't complete without sampling the nightlife here. You'll find that the nights are made alive by live bands, great food, and a lot of partying. Some bars here are strictly for adults while you may bring the entire family in others. Pier1 is an example of a place where you can bring the entire family for a great night out in the beach area. Other noteworthy bars are Sibil, Willi's Bar, Brews Bistro, and Blue Note.

Your Subic Adventure Begins

Touring Subic is indeed an adventure. You can try any of the fun activities offered here and enjoy the wonderful tropical sites. Just remember that your adventure in Subic doesn't necessarily end when the sun sets.

Hailed as one of the first class Philippine municipalities, Subic is located in the northern part of the country, specifically in the province of Zambales. This municipality is at the first district of the province and it has 16 barangays. Santo Tomas, Asinan Proper, San Isidro and Cawag are the popular barangays of Subic while Calapandayan and Wawandue are two of the rural barangays in this municipality.

Popularized by the former establishment of the Subic Bay Naval Base, this municipality has a total of 63,019 residents as of 2000. Also based on the census done in Subic in 2000, it has 13,882 households. Many people confuse this municipality with the Subic Bay Free Port Zone. However, for those who are not that knowledgeable about the geography of Subic, it is located at Subic Bay’s north end which is the reason why confusion arose.

Even if the Subic Bay Naval Base in the municipality has been removed in the 1990s, the government of this municipality does not fail its residents by providing good source of income to them. The tourism industry of Subic has been improved since the removal of the naval base of the United States. Through time, the mushrooming of business establishments like restaurants, cafes and bars is observed.

Aside from the improvements in the food industry of the city, many beaches and resorts are improved and renovated to get the attention of travelers and tourists. Some resorts include beach huts and cottages in their facilities while there are some that offer diving and snorkeling lessons to their customers.

Since the establishment of the naval base, there is one beach resort that attracted the attention of many travelers. This beach resort known as the White Rock Beach Resort has outstanding facilities, which is the primary reason why travelers like to visit the place. Next to the attractive White Rock beach resort is the Treasure Island Resort. The Treasure Island Resort became popular because of the attractive restaurant Dryden’s which is so luring to tourists.

For travelers who are planning to visit this municipality, they are encouraged to also visit the Subic Bay Freeport Zone wherein many tourist spots are established. Another memorable place in Subic that they can have a look at is the Ocean Park or Ocean Adventure where dolphin and sea lion shows are held. With the presence of these tourists spots and business establishments, Subic Bay is definitely the best municipality to visit in Zambales, Philippines.